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March 2024

What next for your website?

How often do you read an article about the latest digital trends and don’t know whether you need to take them onboard? How can you stay ahead of the curve and establish a strong online presence when everything seems to be changing? Should you redevelop your website, or could you just update it in line with the trends that seem most relevant? And how do you make the most of the latest digital innovations that can help set you apart from your competitors?
What are the challenges?

With the ongoing advancements in technology, user experience and design aesthetics, 2024 will see web design and development continue to evolve, offering more immersive, connected and engaging experiences for users. According to Forbes, users today expect a seamless experience across analogue and digital channels, and creating interconnected experiences is top of the Forbes list of strategies for 2024.

With the ever increasing use of smartphones, audiences expect seamless browsing experiences not only on mobile but across all platforms and devices. The use of minimalistic user interfaces is increasing, taking website design away from often overwhelming experiences. Users are looking for intuitive layouts that prioritise content and help create an overall improved user experience as well as more considered designs that reflect an organisation’s brand. Web design should prioritise functionality and usability.

Animations are still key, but the trend today is towards more subtle movement such as micro-interactions – small, interactive elements within a website that respond to user actions and provide a more immersive experience.

Today, AI-driven chatbots, personalised recommendations and predictive analytics are fundamentally altering the landscape of web design, facilitating deeper user engagement and driving up conversion rates. 2024 will continue to see these transformative technologies laying the foundation for web experiences that are more intuitive, dynamic and user-centric. From chatbots providing instant and personalised assistance, to algorithms delivering tailored recommendations and content, and predictive analytics enabling more targeted and effective marketing strategies, the role of AI in web design is becoming increasingly pivotal.

So how do you integrate the latest trends and ensure they are relevant for your business?

What’s the answer?

Before you do anything, consider which trends might be relevant and whether a full website redevelopment is needed. Remember, you don’t always have to completely re-invent your website to make the most of new trends or techniques; you might be able to just update certain key areas instead.

Today, both mobile-first and responsive web design are essential for creating modern, user-friendly websites and are now standard best practice in web development, ensuring optimal user experience regardless of the device being used. Below are a few ways to make your website more mobile-friendly:

  • Use larger text to increase legibility on mobile devices
  • Use larger buttons and optimise touch targets to allow users to easily tap them
  • Use adaptive interfaces (these change what they display depending on the user’s device)

Google prioritises mobile-friendly sites in their algorithm, so any changes you make towards a mobile-first website will help towards SEO too.

Minimalist UI/UX design aims to create interfaces that are user-friendly, functional and visually strong. The focus should be on the user’s needs and goals and the website should be easy to navigate, with clear calls-to-action and intuitive interfaces. Interfaces should also integrate seamlessly with other business systems, such as customer relationship management (CRM) software.

UX should be the driving force behind any website design and is crucial when planning user journeys. Each design decision should give the user what they want, or need, be it key information or insights into your company.

Consider using micro-interactions. These can add to the functionality of your website, improve the user experience both functionally and emotionally, by guiding users to perform certain actions on the site while also making your website more engaging. A good example is the website we recently worked on for Gorilla Gorilla!.

But make sure your website design is engaging and stands out from your competitors’ sites. If you’re unsure, commission an audit to understand how your brand, website and positioning perform against your competitors and what is truly unique to you.

And a final note when thinking about AI, according to Accenture: “Generative AI chatbots should be subject to continuous testing and human oversight. Companies should invest in ethical AI and develop minimum standards to adhere to. And they should gather regular feedback and provide training for employees as well.”

Conclusion

2024 will see web design focusing not just on how a site looks, but how it feels, reacts and connects with its users, making every online interaction more engaging and meaningful. In today’s digital landscape, both mobile-first and responsive web design are essential for creating modern, user-friendly websites. Website design and development is constantly evolving and continuously adjusting to the ever-changing preferences and requirements of users. As we venture further into 2024, we foresee an increased emphasis on responsive design, minimalistic interfaces, and the integration of AI.

If you would like to know more about how to leverage the latest trends and get more out of your website, then please get in touch.

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